Judiciary
Group warns Odinkalu against unnecessary attacks on Judges
Prof. Chidi Odinkalu has been cautioned against his incessant attacks against Judges and the entire judiciary, action that can lead to chaos and anarchy in the country.
A civil group, Global Network for Justice and Equity in a statement on Thursday in Abuja indicated the incessant denigrating of the judiciary and judicial officers by Odinkalu would not do the nation any good but can only spell doom at the end.
National Coordinator of the group, Dr Makinde Moses appealed to the law professor to always be matured and objective on issues of national importance rather than being childish in his responses.
Apparently reacting to the verbal attacks unleashed on Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the High Court of the FCT in his July 31 order that restricted Abuja protesters to the MKO Abiola National Stadium, the organization expressed deep worry that a personality like Prof Odinkalu did not see any wisdom in the overall decision of the Judge.
According to the group, the patriotic decision of Justice Oriji saved the Abuja residents and indeed the entire Federal Capital Territory a lot of embarrassment, wanton destruction of lives, public and private properties in the hands of hoodlums that hijacked the good intentions of the genuine protesters.
The group’s statement reads: “We have read the publications and comments by Prof. Chidi Odinkalu and his co-travellers aimed at bringing the name and office of Hon. Justice S. C. Oriji of the High Court of FCT, Abuja to disrepute.
“From the publications and comments, it is clear that Odinkalu and members of his group did not read or understand the ruling of the Court. It has therefore become imperative to state the facts correctly in the interest and benefit of the reading public.
“As at July 31, 2024, the Hon. Judges of the High Court of FCT, Abuja were on annual vacation. The Court is still on vacation. The Hon. Chief Judge of the High Court of FCT, Abuja appointed His Lordship, Hon. Justice S. C. Oriji and four other Hon. Judges to serve as vacation Judges to entertain urgent matters.
“When the suit concerning the protest was filed by the Hon. Minister of FCT, Abuja on July 31, 2024 along with a motion ex-parte for interim injunction and a motion on notice for interlocutory injunction, Hon. Justice Oriji entertained it as a vacation Judge.
“It is instructive to note that Hon. Justice Oriji did not grant the main prayer sought by the Hon. Minister of FCT, which was to stop the protest. The prayers are in the Court Order.
“As stated in the Order, the Court recognized the right of citizens to embark on peaceful protest. The Court also noted that other citizens are also entitled to their constitutional rights.
“It would appear that the Court considered the facts before it to arrive at a decision that will be in the interest of the protesters, other citizens and the entire country, especially the residents of Abuja.
“One of the facts before the Court was a letter dated July 26, 2024 written by one Damilare Adenola (2nd defendant) in the suit on behalf of “TAKE IT BACK MOVEMENT, FCT” to the Hon. Minister of FCT (the applicant). The letter is attached herewith for ease of reference.
“In the letter, the protesters notified the Hon. Minister of FCT of their decision to “use the Eagle Square as a point of convergence”. In addition, the protesters requested that “the outer wire mesh barrier facing the Aso Rock Villa be removed in the meantime, as protesters may decide to visit the Presidential Villa during the protest.”
“There is no gainsaying the fact that if the Court had allowed the protesters to converge at the Eagle Square as stated in the letter, any attempt to enter the Presidential Villa would have been resisted by security agents. This would have led to unimaginable casualties and possible loss of lives.
“In these circumstances, we believe that Hon. Justice S. C. Oriji considered it appropriate and expedient to order that the protesters should converge at the Moshood Abiola Stadium.
“The Judge granted their request to converge at a venue but not the Eagle Square venue sought in their said letter. The Judge also made an Order for security agencies to protect the protesters.
“So, what wrong did the Judge do? Let the truth be said: the Hon. Judge ought to be commended instead of denigrated.
” Our opinion, which appears to be the opinion of well-meaning residents of Abuja, is that the Order of the Court under focus helped to reduce casualties, looting and destruction of properties of citizens and government facilities during the period of the protest.
“We believe that the only group of people that were and are not pleased with the Court Order are the detractors and political opponents of the Hon. Minister of FCT and the President of the Country.
“These detractors hold the view that the Hon. Minister is not suitable to be the Minister of FCT, Abuja in spite of the numerous achievements of the FCT Administration under his leadership.
“Similar orders were granted in Lagos, Kwara, Ogun and few other States. One wonders why Odinkalu and his cohorts have no grouse about the orders in those States and the Hon. Judges that made the orders.
“It would appear that these detractors and political enemies of the Hon. Minister intended to use the protest to make the FCT, Abuja ungovernable in order to discredit the Hon. Minister.
“We concede that Chidi Odinkalu and his co-travellers are entitled to express their views on the Court Order. However, it was childish and irresponsible for Odinkalu to attempt to make a caricature of the name of the Hon. Justice Sylvanus Chinedu Oriji. A man who prides himself as a Professor of law ought to show respect and regard for His Lordship and his office.
“It is evident from the above facts that the coincidence that Hon. Justice Oriji and the Hon. Minister of FCT hail from Obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State has nothing to do with the the Court Order. After all, the case is not personal to the Hon. Minister of FCT but concerns the FCT Administration.
“Also, as noted earlier, the Court did not grant the orders sought by the Hon. Minister to stop the protest in its entirety.
“In his publication, Chidi Odinkalu, in his desperate effort to impugn the credibility of the Hon. Judge, alleged that: “Even before the Court rose for the day, the order was already in the public domain blaring from all government media. It read uncannily as if the order had been granted even before the case was filed.”
“This allegation is spurious, unfounded and can only be made by a man whose handiwork is to malign anybody who is successful or making progress in his or her career. Such a person should be ignored and his views disregarded”, the statement said.
Judiciary
Political Prejudice, Low Awareness Hinder Effective Criminal Justice Implementation – Stakeholders
By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
Political prejudice and low public awareness have been identified as the major obstacles to the fair and effective implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law in society.
This was the focus of a strategic meeting of key stakeholders organized by the Cleen Foundation in Dutse, Jigawa State.
The meeting, which brought together security agencies, the judiciary, law practitioners, civil society organizations, and the media, target to address the challenges affecting the criminal justice system.
During his opening address, the Executive Director of Cleen Foundation, Mr. Gad Peter, highlighted other issues such as harmful cultural practices, tradition, and corruption as further hindrances to justice.
According to Mr. Peter, the strategic meeting sought to advocate for and promote gender equality in the administration of criminal justice within the state.
“The purpose of this policy dialogue is to bring all the principal actors in the criminal justice system together to discuss and develop strategies for addressing gaps identified in the system,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of the effective implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law in promoting justice, equity, fairness, peace, and stability in the country. “Everyone has a role to play in achieving these desired goals,” he noted.
Addressing the specific challenges faced by women and marginalized groups, Mr. Peter said, “Women and individuals from marginalized groups often face unique challenges and biases within the criminal justice process. Addressing these issues is not only the right thing to do but is also crucial to achieving a truly just system.”
He further stated, “Together, we can work towards a criminal justice system that is not only effective and fair but also reflective of our collective commitment to justice and equality for all.”
Participants at the meeting pledged to collaborate in addressing these key challenges and to promote equality within the state and national justice system.
Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo of Kogi State has issued a stern condemnation of the violent attack on Alhaji Muritala Yakubu Ajaka, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate in the November 11, 2023, governorship election.
The incident occurred on Friday, August 23, 2024, shortly after the Supreme Court delivered its judgment in favor of Governor Ododo in a case filed by Ajaka challenging the election’s conduct and outcome.
Ajaka, who had taken his case from the election petition tribunal through the Appeal Court and up to the Supreme Court, was reportedly assaulted by political thugs within the premises of the Supreme Court. The attack, which has sparked widespread outrage, took place just after the court’s ruling.
In response to the incident, Governor Ododo, through a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, expressed his deep concern and condemned the attack in the strongest possible terms.
He described the actions of the attackers as “barbaric, uncivilized, and a grave danger to the institution of justice.”
Governor Ododo called on law enforcement agencies to promptly identify and arrest the perpetrators, ensuring they face the full consequences of their actions. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity and safety of court environments across the country.
“As a Government, we implore the law enforcement agencies to fish out the perpetrators and make them face the full wrath of the law to serve as a deterrent to others as well as protect the integrity and safety of our court environments across the country,” the statement read.
Governor Ododo also urged Nigerians to reject violence and embrace constitutionalism and unity, aligning with the core values of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. He called for national support for the government’s policies aimed at the progress and development of Nigeria.
The Supreme Court is set to deliver a landmark judgement on Friday, August 23, 2024, in the Kogi State Governorship election case between Muritala Yakubu Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The apex court’s decision will bring to a close the prolonged legal battle between the two parties, which has been ongoing since the election. The court had earlier declined a request by the SDP to constitute a full panel to hear the appeal.
A five-member panel of justices, led by Hon. Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, has been appointed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, to decide the case.
The other justices on the panel are Hon. Justice Ibrahim Mohammed Musa Saulawa, Hon. Justice Tijjani Abubakar, Hon. Justice Abubakar Sadiq Umar, and Hon. Justice Mohammed Baba Idris.
The judgement will have significant implications for the political landscape of Kogi State and the country at large.
The SDP and APC have been engaged in a fierce legal battle, with both parties confident of emerging victorious.
Political analysts have described the case as a test of the independence and impartiality of the judiciary, and the outcome is eagerly awaited by Nigerians.
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